Insider's Guide to Grand Rapids, Michigan

Get the inside scoop on all things Grand Rapids in one place.  Experience Grand Rapids has hundreds of articles about all the best places to visit, get a drink,to have dinner, and make GRAND memories on your next getaway to Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Use the categories to narrow your options.

Art
Art

Community Legends Sculptures Tour

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Alina Albin for EXGR
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  • 13 min

Two of Grand Rapids’ favorite things – art and history – come together in a…

Experiences
Experiences

Road Biking in Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Ideology for Experience GR
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  • 4 min

Bicycling can be a great way to experience a travel destination – it’s healthy…

Beer City
Beer City

How Grand Rapids Became Beer City USA

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Pop Studio Kitchen for Experience GR
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  • 5 min

Grand Rapids has been known as Beer City USA since 2012, when the city tied Asheville, North…

Experiences
Experiences

Gun Lake Casino Resort

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Corey Klien Photography for Gun Lake Casino
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  • 5 min

Add some gaming action to your Grand Rapids stay at Gun Lake Casino Resort, which is owned and…

Experiences
Experiences

FAQ About Blandford Nature Center

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Alina Albin for Experience GR.
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  • 1 min

Blandford Nature Center invites people of all ages to enjoy, explore and learn in nature. Located…

Experiences
Experiences

Hit the Mountain Biking Trails

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Aaron Peterson for Experience GR
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  • 8 min

Looking for a mountain biking destination that offers a variety of terrains, trails for every skill…

Experiences
Experiences

Take a Spa & Wellness Trip to Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Dorelle Brock for Experience GR.
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  • 6 min

Grand Rapids, Michigan is a city known for its vibrant food and drink culture – think Flights…

Community
Community

Exploring Cherry Street in Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR.
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  • 9 min

While downtown Grand Rapids boasts the city’s largest concentration of shopping and dining…

Experiences
Experiences

FAQ About GR African American Museum

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Experience Grand Rapids
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  • 1 min

The Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives promotes, preserves, displays, collects and…

Experiences
Experiences

Downtown Walking Tour

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Ideology for Experience GR
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  • 8 min

Grand Rapids was named one of the 14 most walkable cities in the U.S. a few years back, largely…

Shopping
Shopping

Where to Find Vinyl Records in GR

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Holly Kell for Experience GR
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  • 7 min

No one could have predicted it 20 years ago, but vinyl LP record albums now outsell CDs by a healthy…

Food
Food

Grand Rapids Area Outdoor Dining Spaces

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Alina Albin for Experience GR
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  • 28 min

Outdoor Dining in Any Season Grand Rapidians love the outdoors ­ – so much so that local…

Experiences
Experiences

Local’s Guide to Party Venues in Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Addison Causley for Experience GR
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  • 12 min

Whether you’re planning a birthday bash, a graduation celebration, holiday outings, corporate…

Art
Art

Grand Rapids Murals: Arturo Morales Romero

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Nick Irwin for Experience GR. Artist: Arturo Morales Romero
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  • 5 min

USA Today has hailed Grand Rapids as one of the 10 best cities in America where you can see amazing…

Sports
Sports

Grand Rapids is a Midwest Hub for Pickleball

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Ideology for Experience GR
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  • 8 min

Stop by Belknap Park in downtown Grand Rapids any summer or fall evening and you’re liable to…

Experiences
Experiences

20 Fun and FREE Things to do in Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Ideology for Experience GR
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  • 7 min

Whoever said nothing in life is free hasn't been to Kent County, Michigan. The greater Grand…

Experiences
Experiences

FAQ About Grand Rapids Children's Museum

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Isabel Lopez Slattery for Experience GR
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  • 1 min

The Grand Rapids Children's Museum celebrates childhood and the joy of learning by providing a…

Sports
Sports

West Michigan Whitecaps: Your Summer Tradition

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Ideology for Experience GR
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  • 8 min

With dozens of themed nights, special giveaways, new food/drink choices and a variety of…

Events
Events

Things to do for Mother's Day in Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Aly Zuiderveen for Experience GR
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  • 7 min

Treat Mom to a Grand Rapids getaway this Mother’s Day! From brunches and spa treatments to…

Beer City
Beer City

Women Crafting the Beverage Industry in Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Alina Albin for Experience GR
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  • 15 min

USA Today has recognized Grand Rapids as the Craft Beverage Capital of America. We want to recognize…

Drinks
Drinks

Grand Rapids Cocktail Bars

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Courtesy of Mammoth Distilling
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  • 13 min

Thanks to the availability of high-quality craft spirits from local and global sources, the cocktail…

Experiences
Experiences

FAQ About Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Ideology for Experience GR.
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  • 1 min

"America’s most entertaining presidential museum" is both a loving tribute to the…

Experiences
Experiences

A Guide to Solo Travel in Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Mod Bettie for Experience GR
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  • 8 min

Whether you’re a seasoned solo traveler or you’re just thinking of taking your first…

Events
Events

Women's History Month in Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Jasmine Bruce
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  • 6 min

The story of Grand Rapids cannot be told without acknowledging the tremendous contributions of women…

Experiences
Experiences

FAQ About Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Liv Lyszyk for Experience GR
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  • 7 min

Michigan's second most popular tourist attraction ... the country's best sculpture park…

Experiences
Experiences

FAQ About Grand Rapids Art Museum

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Leigh Ann Cobb for Experience GR
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  • 2 min

The Grand Rapids Art Museum is a beacon of art in an art-loving city, connecting people through art…

Events
Events

St. Patrick's Day

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR
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  • 3 min

The luck o’ the Irish is with you if you’re spending St. Patrick’s Day in Grand…

Experiences
Experiences

FAQ About John Ball Zoo

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Aly Zuiderveen for Experience GR
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  • 3 min

John Ball Zoo has been delighting Grand Rapids residents and visitors since 1891, when a small…

Experiences
Experiences

FAQ About Grand Rapids Public Museum

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Experience Grand Rapids
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  • 2 min

Founded in 1845, the Grand Rapids Public Museum is the oldest museum in Michigan. It is a place of…

Music
Music

Music Festivals in Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Nick Irwin for Experience GR.
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  • 9 min

Grand Rapids loves a good music festival, and we host a diverse range of single-day and multi-day…

Recreation
Recreation

Beginner’s Guide to Fishing in Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Aaron Peterson for Experience GR
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  • 9 min

Anglers of all experience levels will find excellent fishing opportunities in and around the Grand…

Experiences
Experiences

Biking Kent Trails Along Millennium Park

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Experience Grand Rapids
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  • 6 min

Whether you’re in the mood for a quiet, scenic nature ride or you’re looking for an…

Experiences
Experiences

Things to Do Inside

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Haley Chicoine for Experience GR
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  • 5 min

Whether it's a snow day, a rainy day or a day you just want to play inside, Grand Rapids offers…

Accessibility
Accessibility

Grand Rapids Makes Performing Arts Accessible

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Ashley Wierenga, Courtesy of Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
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  • 7 min

With professional ballet, opera and symphony companies, a presenter of touring Broadway shows, the…

Shopping
Shopping

Where to Buy the Best Wine in Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Ideology for Experience GR
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  • 11 min

While we’ll always be fans of the excellent craft brew options we have in Beer City, USA…

Sports
Sports

Grand Rapids Rise Volleyball

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Courtesy of Grand Rapids Rise
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  • 3 min

The Grand Rapids Rise volleyball team made history when it debuted in January 2024 as the…

Experiences
Experiences

Visit Grand Rapids Like a Cowboy

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Experience GR
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  • 6 min

The Wild West is having a cultural moment. From TV’s Yellowstone universe, to…

Drinks
Drinks

Get your Margarita On in Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Ashley Wierenga
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  • 7 min

National Margarita Day is February 22 – and we’re celebrating with this list of the…

Events
Events

Black History Month

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR. Art: Black History Series by Bryce Culverhouse
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  • 7 min

Essence Magazine once named Grand Rapids 1 of 6 Unexpected Destinations to Travel To That Are Full…

Food
Food

Local’s Favorite Pizza Places in GR

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Alina Albin for Experience GR
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  • 12 min

National Pizza Day is February 9 – and to celebrate, we asked our social media followers to…

Experiences
Experiences

Grand Rapids Gold Basketball

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Courtesy of the Grand Rapids Gold
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  • 4 min

Want to enjoy a game of elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun…

Music
Music

Visit Midtown for Live Music and Comedy

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Brian Craig for Experience GR.
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  • 4 min

There are more than 100 live-music venues in Grand Rapids, ranging from the 12,000-seat Van Andel…

Events
Events

10 Seriously Funny Facts About LaughFest

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR
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  • 7 min

Gilda’s LaughFest debuted in 2011 in Grand Rapids as America’s first-ever…

Food
Food

Sunday and Monday Dining in Downtown Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Addison Causley for Experience GR
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  • 63 min

Finding places to dine out on Sundays and Mondays can be a challenge these days – but not in…

Events
Events

Valentine's Day

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Brian Kelly for Experience GR
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  • 12 min

This Valentine’s Day, all you need is love – Grand Rapids restaurants, attractions and…

Experiences
Experiences

LGBTQIA+ Weekend Getaway in Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Alyssa Zuiderveen Artwork: Massimals by Scroggin Studio
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  • 11 min

No matter who you are or who you love, you’ll find a warm welcome in Grand Rapids. What was…

Beer City
Beer City

Enjoy Historic-Style Beers at Archival Brewing

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Aly Zuiderveen for Experience GR.
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  • 5 min

A tour of the Beer City Ale Trail will take you across the world via the different global beer…

Experiences
Experiences

Indoor Places Where Adults Can Play Like Kids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR
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  • 8 min

Tired of kids having all the fun? We have solutions for you! There are a growing number of…

Experiences
Experiences

Go Roller Skating in Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR
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  • 7 min

Roller skating is cool again. Not since the disco era of the 1970s and ‘80s has the sport…

Accessibility
Accessibility

Accessible Transportation: The Rapid

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Nick Irwin for Experience GR
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  • 10 min

There’s so much to see and experience in Grand Rapids that determining how to travel from…

Shopping
Shopping

Gift Shops at Local Attractions

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Grand Rapids Public Museum
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  • 7 min

The gift shops in Grand Rapids’ local attractions offer one-of-a-kind items perfect for…

Experiences
Experiences

Escape Rooms: Can Your Group Solve It in Time?

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Addison Causley for Experience GR
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  • 5 min

An escape room is an immersive, real-life adventure game that players solve (or not) via…

Experiences
Experiences

Best Bookstores in Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Rachel Greiner for Experience GR
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  • 7 min

One of the pleasures of travel for book lovers is discovering independent bookstores. Just as…

Experiences
Experiences

Running Events

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Ideology for Experience GR
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  • 1 min

It's no coincidence that America's largest 25K road race – the Amway River Bank Run…

Experiences
Experiences

Veronica The Explorer Explores Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Courtesy of Veronica Gordon (@veronicagordonofficial)
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  • 7 min

Veronica Gordon – also known as @VeronicaGordonOfficial on Instagram – is an…

Experiences
Experiences

Where to Find Great Karaoke in Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR
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  • 4 min

Whether you’re a seasoned karaoke pro or a nervous novice, you’ll find plenty of…

Experiences
Experiences

Top Things to Do

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Nick Irwin for Experience GR
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  • 8 min

Looking for fun things to do on your Grand Rapids getaway (or staycation)? Ask 10 people for…

Events
Events

Meijer State Games of Michigan

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by West Michigan Sports Commission
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  • 1 min

Meijer State Games of Michigan is a multi-sport, Olympic-style event that welcomes state residents…

Events
Events

New Year's Celebrations

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Brian Kelly for Experience GR
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  • 8 min

Say goodbye to 2025 and ring in 2026 in Grand Rapids, which celebrates the new year with everything…

Recreation
Recreation

Cross-Country Skiing in Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Paul Jendrasiak for Experience GR.
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  • 7 min

One of the great thing about Grand Rapids is the city’s close proximity to wildlife, nature…

Beer City
Beer City

Speciation Cellars: Where the Wild Things Are

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Wes Kitten
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  • 5 min

Proprietor and mastermind Mitch Ermatinger, along with wife and partner, Whitney, opened Speciation…

Recreation
Recreation

Grand Rapids becomes a fatbike-friendly community

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Aaron Peterson for Experience GR
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  • 4 min

When Experience Grand Rapids first profiled the local fatbiking community back in 2018, it was clear…

Experiences
Experiences

Experience GR, One Day Itinerary

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Nick Irwin for Experience GR. Artwork: La Grande Vitesse by Alexander Calder
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  • 3 min

Does your group have only a single day to get a feel and flavor of Grand Rapids? No problem…

Art
Art

Revisiting ArtPrize With Permanent Works of Art

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Nick Irwin for Experience GR Artwork: Abdoulaye Conde
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  • 8 min

ArtPrize is an international art competition entered by hundreds of artists from around the world…

Experiences
Experiences

Experience GR, Three Day Itinerary

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Nick Irwin for Experience GR
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  • 10 min

Grand Rapids is a destination like no other - one on the leading edge of art, culture, dining, and…

Recreation
Recreation

Skiing

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Aaron Peterson for Experience GR
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  • 4 min

Every season brings great outdoor recreation opportunities that are easily accessible from downtown…

Experiences
Experiences

Snowshoeing in the Grand Rapids Area

  • by photo by Aaron Peterson for Experience GR
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  • 8 min

Snowshoeing has been around for almost as long as civilizations have interacted with deep snow…

Experiences
Experiences

Beer Itinerary

  • by photo by Pop Studio Kitchen for Experience GR
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  • 2 min

Welcome to Beer City USA! Grand Rapids has held this title since 2012, along with such USA Today…

Experiences
Experiences

Gardens & Agriculture Itinerary

  • by photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR
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  • 2 min

Located in the middle of one of the world’s finest growing regions, influenced by the…

Beer City
Beer City

Beer City Coming to a TV Near You

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  • 3 min

Grand Rapids’ meteoric rise from a town without a brewery in 1996 to Beer City USA less than…

Experiences
Experiences

Hands-on Activities Itinerary

  • by photo by Haley Chicoine for Experience GR
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  • 2 min

“At its core, this city is one of crafters, designers, innovators and artists,” wrote…

Art
Art

Grand Rapids Murals: Heartside

  • by photo by Artwork by Ijania Cortez
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  • 14 min

Public art has long been a vital element of Grand Rapids, from well before the installation of an…

Drinks
Drinks

Distilleries

  • by photo by Aly Zuiderveen for Experience GR
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  • 2 min

Let the spirits move you to Grand Rapids, where excellent local distilleries play a vital role in…

Experiences
Experiences

A Luxury Travel Guide to Grand Rapids

  • by Experience Grand Rapids photo by Courtesy of AHC Hospitality
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  • 14 min

Grand Rapids is known for its affordability – but that doesn’t mean you can’t…

Recreation
Recreation

West Michigan Winter Sports

  • by photo by Aaron Peterson for Experience GR
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  • 6 min

One of the distinct benefits of living in West Michigan is that we can enjoy the beauty of all four…

Shopping
Shopping

Unique Shopping in Grand Rapids

  • by photo by Rashelle Whiteharris for Experience GR
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  • 10 min

Grand Rapids is a great place to browse one-of-a-kind stores overflowing with items you won't…

Events
Events

Halloween in Grand Rapids

  • by photo by Nick Irwin for Experience GR
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  • 17 min

Halloween isn’t just day in Grand Rapids – it’s several weeks’ worth of…

Shopping
Shopping

Shopping Malls and More in Grand Rapids

  • by photo by Experience Grand Rapids
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  • 6 min

Grand Rapids is filled with all sorts of great shopping options – but for convenience…

Shopping
Shopping

Antique Your Way Through Grand Rapids

  • by photo by Raelyn Nicole Photography for Experience GR
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  • 7 min

While Grand Rapids is hailed as a city that successfully reinvented itself for the 21 st century, it…

Experiences
Experiences

Historic Cemeteries of Grand Rapids

  • by photo by Experience GR
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  • 7 min

There are a lot of great ways to explore Grand Rapids history. You can browse the exhibits at the…

Drinks
Drinks

Dive Bars to Check Out in Grand Rapids

  • by photo by Nick Irwin for Experience GR
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  • 13 min

The term “dive bar” used to conjure up images of a seedy, run-down place in a…

Sports
Sports

Golf Year Round in Grand Rapids

  • by photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR
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  • 7 min

Grand Rapids is a great golf town, offering “perhaps the best combination of affordable golf…

Events
Events

Driving Tourism Through Festivals

  • by photo by AVES Films for Experience GR
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  • 2 min

Cultural festivals are a big part of the social fabric of Grand Rapids. Collectively, they bring…

Experiences
Experiences

Fall Color Tours in Grand Rapids

  • by photo by Nick Irwin for Experience GR
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  • 6 min

West Michigan's abundant forests helped fuel Grand Rapids' rise as "furniture capital…

Experiences
Experiences

Grand Rapids Griffins Hockey

  • by photo by Courtesy of the Grand Rapids Griffins
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  • 4 min

Calling all hockey fans! Gear up to cheer for the Grand Rapids Griffins, a development affiliate of…

Drinks
Drinks

Fall Cider in Grand Rapids

  • by photo by Ideology for Experience GR
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  • 8 min

Michigan is one of America’s top three apple-producing states – and Grand Rapids is…

Food
Food

Breakfast in Grand Rapids

  • by photo by Addison Causley for Experience GR
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  • 11 min

Breakfast lovers in Grand Rapids are a passionate bunch, as we found out when we asked our social…

Experiences
Experiences

Dog-Friendly Spots in Grand Rapids

  • by photo by Rachel Greiner for Experience GR
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  • 8 min

Grand Rapids is a great place for people who prioritize the happiness and well-being of their canine…

Categories

Events

There are tons of fun events happening in Grand Rapids throughout the year. View the…

Hotels

Find the perfect hotel in Grand Rapids, MI for your next vacation. Book a hotel room…